Today’s quick review: The Living Daylights. When British secret agent James Bond (Timothy Dalton) helps General Koskov (Jeroen Krabbe) defect from the Soviet Union, Koskov warns him of a plot by the crazed General Pushkin (John Rhys-Davies) to assassinate Western targets and provoke a war. However, Bond suspects there is more to the story, and he returns to East Berlin to question Kara Milovy (Maryam d’Abo), a cellist with ties to Koskov.
The Living Daylights is a spy adventure and the fifteenth film in the James Bond franchise. Timothy Dalton’s debut as Bond features a richer story and a somewhat more realistic tone than past entries in the series. The effort the movie puts into its plot, a fairly well-developed supporting cast, and the usual complement of action make The Living Daylights a fine entry into the series. However, it’s also missing some of the flair Bond is known for.
The Living Daylights’ greatest strength is its story. The early portions of the plot play out as a mystery, as Bond follows a hunch about Koskov’s defection. The setup hangs together better than the typical Bond mystery, with decent pacing and interesting clues to follow. Kara Milovy makes for an unusually well-developed supporting character, while Dalton’s incarnation of Bond fits in better with the world around him, for better or worse.
The Living Daylights does struggle with some of its finishing touches. The plot’s setup is better than its payoff, with a more mundane threat than usual and an odd choice of villain in Brad Whitaker (Joe Don Baker), a militaristic arms dealer. Several of the movie’s sequences also drag on longer than they need to, including its early ski chase and its ending. Finally, the movie is less flashy in its choice of gadgets, locations, and stakes.
How much you get out of The Living Daylights will depend on what you’re looking for in a Bond film. Those more interested in intrigue, character, and somewhat credible action will find The Living Daylights to be an unusually sound entry into the series. Those who are attached to the quirkier parts of the series may find that it skews a little dry. Either way, the movie is worth a watch for fans of the series or viewers looking for a little action.
For a Bond movie with similar types of intrigue, try From Russia with Love. For an even more realistic, gritty Bond film, try Casino Royale.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a well-crafted plot, decent action, and a bit less style than usual.